Long-term damage assessment in patients with microscopic polyangiitis and renal-limited vasculitis using the Vasculitis Damage Index. Issue 1 (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Itabashi, Mitsuyo; Takei, Takashi; Moriyama, Takahito; Shiohira, Syunji; Shimizu, Ari; Tsuruta, Yuki; Uchida, Keiko; Nitta, Kosaku
• Is Part Of: Modern rheumatology. Volume 24:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 112
• Page End: 119
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Rheumatology -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.3109/14397595.2013.852836
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1439-7595

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objectives</italic> The Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) is used to define the degree of damage occurring in patients with systemic vasculitis. We conducted a retrospective study of 30 patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and renal-limited vasculitis (RLV).</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic> The clinical data and VDI of the 30 patients enrolled in the study were collected and assessed for a period of 5 years.</p> <p> <italic>Result</italic> The VDI score, which was 2.5 at 1 year after the initial diagnosis, increased gradually to 4.3 at 5 years post-diagnosis. The degrees of musculoskeletal and ocular damage significantly increased during the 5-year period (<italic>p</italic> = 0.001 and <italic>p</italic> = 0.002, respectively). The most frequent damage items in the VDI were cataract (13 %), hypertension (12 %), diabetes mellitus (9 %), and osteoporosis (6 %). The VDI score was significantly higher in the groups of patients who showed relapse or MPA than in the groups of patients who did not show relapse or RLV at 5 years (<italic>p</italic> = 0.02 and <italic>p</italic> = 0.03, respectively). In addition, a significant correlation was found between the VDI score at 5 years and the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score at diagnosis (<italic>p</italic> = 0.04, <italic>r</italic> = 0.4).</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic> The VDI was found to be a useful tool for determining the severity of damage caused by disease and the effects of treatment. The individual contributions of the VDI items may also be applied to treatment decisions.</p> </abstract>